Society

Summer travelers to go up for 1st time in 4 years

Jul 05 (NHK) - Major Japanese travel agency JTB estimates that more than 77 million people will take overnight or longer trips from July 15th through August 31st. That is up 0.8 percent from last year, and will mark the first uptick in 4 years.

JTB predicts that over 2.7 million travelers will head abroad, a 3.4 percent increase year-on-year. It will be the second highest number since the travel agency started tracking figures in 1969.

JTB says people are taking advantage of two 3-day weekends during the period. It also says government-led work reforms are making it easier for employees to take longer vacations.

JTB says per-person spending will likely rise this year for both domestic and overseas travel. The average spending for trips in Japan is estimated at about 300 dollars, and the cost for travel abroad at more than 2,100 dollars.

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